“What we’re asking for right now is a commitment of two weeks for volunteers to deploy to the affected areas. What this means is they’ll be helping with shelter needs.” — Delia Krippelz with Red Cross Central and South Texas
Red Cross groups in Texas are in urgent need of volunteers.
Volunteers who were called in for Hurricane Helene are exhausted and the Red Cross needs reinforcements to deal with Hurricane Milton.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deployed additional resources to Florida.
A stretch of Congress Avenue downtown could look very different if a plan for a proposed pedestrian plaza is approved.
Austin City Council will consider Thursday a resolution that, if approved, would launch a planning study on the reallocation proposal, known as CityLeap, which would transform some roadways to add protected bike infrastructure or dedicated transit infrastructure. (KXAN-TV)
Officials are again asking voters in November to approve raising the sales tax rate to help build fire stations for a rapidly growing emergency services district around Georgetown. (Austin American-Statesman)
If it feels like Austin-area schools are facing more threats this year, it’s because they are. And Austin isn’t alone. The increase is part of a nationwide trend. (KUT 90.5)
City officials will hold a joint news conference today to discuss the Austin Police Department’s “No Refusal” initiative and how it will now be year-round. (KXAN-TV)
Austin school district voters will decide whether to approve raising the property tax rate by 9.1 cents, an increase that would generate $41 million in additional revenue for Austin schools. (Austin American-Statesman)
The 15th Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal from the Texas Office of the Attorney General that extended from ongoing legal challenges against the funding structure behind the Project Connect mass transit system. (KXAN-TV)
Williamson County commissioners have approved an incentive agreement with a South Korean company that provides supplies for the semiconductor plant in Taylor. (KVUE-TV)
Jarrell City Council has voted to fire its city manager who filed a sexual harassment complaint. (Fox7Austin)
A former Tesla employee is suing the company, claiming she was illegally terminated from her position earlier this year. (KVUE-TV)
Austin’s Aviation Department faces a variety of risks, particularly related to insufficient staffing, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor. (Austin Monitor)
Improvements are being proposed on Fitzhugh Road between S.H. 12 and the Hays County line and on Wednesday officials held an open house to get feedback. (CBS Austin)
The city of Austin has been using artificial intelligence (AI) in a pilot project for building permits that will officially launch late next year. (KXAN-TV)
The region is under an Air Quality Alert today as temperatures remain about ten degrees above normal.
More than three million customers are without power across Florida after Hurricane Milton roared ashore Tuesday evening. (AccuWeather)
More than a dozen tornadoes have been associated with the storm.
“It’s so stupid, it’s got to stop.” — President Joe Biden
President Biden on Wednesday addressed what he called “stupid” claims that the federal government can control the weather, as the false claim was promoted by some politicians and high-profile figures. (CBS News)
Are these claims about Hurricane Milton true?
The reason Lady Bird Lake started losing water Monday? Ants at the Longhorn Dam. (KUT 90.5)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said it had received approximately 4,600 consumer complaints or comments as of Tuesday after the Oct. 4 Blue Alert was issued to Texans early that morning. (KXAN-TV)
A new survey shows 5% of Texans believe they could beat a bear in a fight. (Fox7 Austin)
Amazon is hiring 18,000 people across Texas ahead of holiday season. (Lonestar Live)
Texas lawmakers considered whether to overhaul a film incentive program that has lured hit productions like “Yellowstone” and “Friday Night Lights” to the state. (Texas Tribune)
The Federal Aviation Administration may issue SpaceX its next Starship license in time for a Sunday launch attempt, according to multiple media reports. (Lonestar Live)
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned a Dallas man’s conviction for hurting his girlfriend’s child due to scientific research that casts doubt on the existence of shaken baby syndrome. (Texas Public Radio)
Texas’ political landscape for the next two years may come down to a few key statehouse races in Dallas, San Antonio and South Texas. (Texas Tribune)/
Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and related political committees have raised $1 billion, according to a source, with donations flowing in at an unprecedented rate since Harris replaced President Biden on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Newly discovered audio of GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance discussing the results of the 2020 election show he admitted Joe Biden won.
Former President Donald Trump told thousands gathered Wednesday at a rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that they must vote to “stop the radical left agenda.”. (Reading Eagle)
SPORTS
It’s Texas vs. Oklahoma this weekend at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
Mauricio Dubón, who played through a torn UCL in his left thumb for the final month of the season, will go under the knife now that the Houston Astros have been eliminated from the playoffs. (Sports Illustrated)
NFL Week 6 predictions…including Detroit at Dallas and Houston at New England.
Big Bend, Texas, is one of the few regions that scores a 1 on the Bortle Scale, meaning it has nearly no light pollution.
